Preparation Is Key (and Is Insane!)

Honestly, I don't know anyone who ISN'T crazy busy all the time.  That's probably because they're holed up with a good book or sitting on a beach, not bothering with the silly people who overschedule life.

That being said, I am often overwhelmed by what the week brings.  Actually, it's not the commitments I mind (work, kids' activities, my activities, and just plain old time spent hanging out together); I mind the housework.  All of it.  Laundry, sweeping, yardwork, organizing, disinfecting, wiping up pee from around the toilet because I live with all guys (shout out to Asa, who not only is very conscious of trying to teach the boys the value of aiming correctly, but who splits all household responsibilities with me!).  THAT is what is overwhelming in life.

I'm trying to be a little more zen about the housework.  I hate having a dirty house, but if leaving it dirty or ignoring the mountain of laundry to be put away means ten more minutes of outside playtime, a chance to tell the kids a bedtime story, or a few extra minutes of sleep, then I need to embrace that!  Stress is so bad for you, health-wise.   

So, to combat the weekday stress, Sunday is usually our day to try to get a little ahead for the week, at least as far as food preparation.  We've learned from experience that when we don't plan snacks/meals/grocery lists, we end up eating out.  Not only does that affect our budget, but it affects our energy levels, stress levels, and general well-being.  

This past Sunday, I took some pictures of what our weekly food prep looks like.  Here is a list of what we try to do:
     *Plan meals for the week.  We write the meals on a dry erase board and stick that to the fridge.  This not only holds us accountable, but it lets the kids know what to expect (and we can say, when they complain about what we're going to have, "But that's what the calendar says."  They usually accept it at that point; the calendar isn't as wimpy and ready-to-cave as mom and dad!).  We also write it up there if we are planning to take them out (see Saturday below); we can all look forward to that!
     *Make a grocery list.  We have an app that updates on both our phones, "Our Groceries," and use that throughout the week in prep for the next week.
     *Chop veggies.  We have lots of fresh veggies, both for lunches and for at-home snacks.  Sometimes, I also chop onions and mushrooms ahead of time to use in my egg scrambles.
     *Hard boil eggs.  We cook at least a dozen to use as snacks or in salads.
     *Package food for lunches.  We put into containers my spinach and kale salads, oil and vinegar dressings, veggies for Braeden's lunch, trail mix (almonds/raisins/chocolate chips) for Asa's and Braeden's snacks, and anything else that can be portioned out ahead of time.
     *Cook anything that can be made ahead of time: grilled chicken for my lunch salads, turkey burgers (great for freezing!), quinoa or mashed sweet potatoes to use as a side with dinner, etc.  Putting a healthy dinner on the table isn't such a huge production if a few things are already done!
     *Prep breakfasts if necessary: make an egg bake in the oven or protein pancakes to put in the freezer.  Set out bowls and spoons for the morning if the kids are going to have cereal.

Here is our menu for this week.  It is subject to change if necessary (for example, I thought we had
salmon in the freezer, but it looks like we'll be having tilapia instead on Friday night!).

This is my lunch every day: spinach and kale salad with 3 ounces grilled
chicken and olive oil (1/2 tablespoon) and balsamic vinegar.

Bell peppers were on sale at Meijer this week!  Everyone in our family loves them!

I'm trying to get back into the habit of boiling eggs to have on hand.  Braeden has been
asking for them for snacks (like me, he just likes the egg whites).